Cullen

The Consultation Letters of Dr William Cullen (1710-1790) at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

 

[ID:2016] From: Mr Alexander Mollison (Molison, Molyson) / To: Dr William Cullen (Professor Cullen) / Regarding: Miss Anna Porterfield (Patient) / 11 June 1781 / (Incoming)

Letter from Alexander Molison, concerning the case of Miss Anna Porterfield of Duchall. The patient has been disturbed by reading John Buchan's Domestic Medicine which has convinced her she is consumptive.

Facsimile

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Metadata

FieldData
DOC ID 2016
RCPE Catalogue Number CUL/1/2/1093
Main Language English
Document Direction Incoming
Date11 June 1781
Annotation None
TypeAuthorial original
Enclosure(s) No enclosure(s)
Autopsy No
Recipe No
Regimen No
Letter of Introduction No
Case Note No
Summary Letter from Alexander Molison, concerning the case of Miss Anna Porterfield of Duchall. The patient has been disturbed by reading John Buchan's Domestic Medicine which has convinced her she is consumptive.
Manuscript Incomplete? No
Evidence of Commercial Posting Yes

Case

Cases that this document belongs to:

Case ID Description Num Docs
[Case ID:1323]
Case of Miss Anna Porterfield of Duchall who has a Flour Albus and related symptoms.
5


People linked to this document

Person IDRole in documentPerson
[PERS ID:121]AuthorMr Alexander Mollison (Molison, Molyson)
[PERS ID:1]AddresseeDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:120]PatientMiss Anna Porterfield
[PERS ID:121]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryMr Alexander Mollison (Molison, Molyson)
[PERS ID:1]Patient's Physician / Surgeon / ApothecaryDr William Cullen (Professor Cullen)
[PERS ID:2979]OtherDr William Buchan

Places linked to this document

Role in document Specific Place Settlements / Areas Region Country Global Region Confidence
Place of Writing Port Glasgow Glasgow and West Scotland Europe certain
Destination of Letter Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Mentioned / Other Edinburgh Edinburgh and East Scotland Europe certain
Place of Handstamp Port Glasgow Glasgow and West Scotland Europe certain

Normalized Text

[Page 1]
Dear Sir


As Miss Annie Porterfield
from Duchall is to consult you with regard to
some complaints I have collected what occurr'd to
me while under my Care


In the End of October Last she had been then & for a
Considerable time before Distressed with the Fluor
albus
& being of a thin habit produced Weakness &
Debility


She was then Enjoind to a Strengthning
Regimen & Exercise with some Doses of Rubarb &
Magnesia then She took for some time the Peruvian Bark
in Infusion & Substance & Lime water & at another
period the Bals Capivi with Arabic Mucilage
As at that time her Menses being rather moderate
Astringents was avoided


Her Relief from these were [but?] Inconsiderable
& in this Situation went into Edinburgh for the Winter
in December where She had some medicins without



[Page 2]

much Benefit


About a Month before this She returnd
to Duchall complaining much of Debility
pain in her Breast & Side & her Breathing
Something Interrupted
her pulse near 100 but
at my first Seeing her in this Situation her
Menses was on her, & therefore Delay'd for some
days till it was over doing any thing for it


When 5 or 6 ounces of Blood moderatly
[Since?] was taken from hir arm & a Saline mixture
with the Tartar Emetic given two or three times
in the Evenings with frequent Small Doses of
the Glauber's Salts which relived her much Reduced
the Quickness of her pulse
& her feelings of pain
Seem'd to be more muscular & not to Constant


From her reading Dr Buchans book 1
which is in Every house She had a Strong
Impression that She was in a fixed Pthisis



[Page 3]

it has hurt her Spirits much,


The Leucorrhea continues & as to any
other particulars She will Inform you her self
& will be directed by you I am Respectfully


Dear Sir
Your most ObedtObedient Humble
Servant
Alexander Moleson
Port Glasgow June 11 1781



[Page 4]


Dr Cullen
Physician
Edinburgh


Mr Moleson
Concerning Miss P.
June 1781.
V. XIII p.76

Notes:

1: Dr William Buchan's Domestic Medicine, first published in 1769 and much reprinted, was a very successful "self-help" guide. Cullen thought that Buchan's book encouraged reckless habits of self-diagnosis and treatment, but nevertheless began to write his own work on 'The Art of Preserving Health' aimed at a not dissimilar readership (unpublished manuscript in Glasgow University Library).

Diplomatic Text

[Page 1]
Dear Sir


As Miss Annie Porterfield
from Duchall is to consult you with regard to
some complaints I have collected what occurr'd to
me while under my Care


In the End of Octr Last she had been then & for a
Considerable time before Distressed with the Fluor
albus
& being of a thin habit produced Weakness &
Debility


She was then Enjoind to a Strengthning
Regimen & Exercise with some Doses of Rubarb &
Magnesia then She took for some time the Cort peru
in Infusion & Substance & Lime water & at another
period the Bals Capivi with Arabic Mucilage
As at that time her Menses being rather moderate
Astringents was avoided


Her Relief from these were [but?] Inconsiderable
& in this Situation went into Edinr for the Winter
in Decr where She had some medicins without



[Page 2]

much Benefit


About a Month before this She returnd
to Duchall complaining much of Debility
pain in her Breast & Side & her Breathing
Something Interrupted
her pulse near 100 but
at my first Seeing her in this Situation her
Menses was on her, & therefore Delay'd for some
days till it was over doing any thing for it


When 5 or 6 ounces of Blood moderatly
[Since?] was taken from hir arm & a Saline mixture
with the Tart Emet given two or three times
in the Evenings with frequent Small Doses of
the Sal glaub which relived her much Reduced
the Quickness of her pulse
& her feelings of pain
Seem'd to be more muscular & not to Constant


From her reading Dr Buchans book 1
which is in Every house She had a Strong
Impression that She was in a fixed Pthisis



[Page 3]

it has hurt her Spirits much,


The Leucorrhea continues & as to any
other particulars She will Inform you her self
& will be directed by you I am Respectfully


Dear Sir
Your most ObedtObedient Humble
Servt
Alexr Moleson
Pt Glasgow Jun 11 1781



[Page 4]


Dr Wm
Physician
Edinr


Mr Moleson
C Miss P.
June 1781.
V. XIII p.76

Notes:

1: Dr William Buchan's Domestic Medicine, first published in 1769 and much reprinted, was a very successful "self-help" guide. Cullen thought that Buchan's book encouraged reckless habits of self-diagnosis and treatment, but nevertheless began to write his own work on 'The Art of Preserving Health' aimed at a not dissimilar readership (unpublished manuscript in Glasgow University Library).

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